College student charged with trying to have sex with 13-year-old girl

Staff report

A 19-year-old Benedictine University student has been charged with trying to have sex with someone he believed was a 13-year-old girl he met on the Internet, authorities said today.

Andrew Franchett of the 5700 block of College Avenue, Lisle, has been charged with felony counts of indecent solicitation of a minor, grooming and traveling to meet a minor following an undercover operation conducted by the Carol Stream Police Department, said DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert. B. Berlin.

Franchett, a student at Benedictine University, is scheduled to appear in Bond Court Saturday at 8 a.m. in Courtroom 1000, DuPage County officials said.

Detectives from the Carol Stream Police Department, posing as a 13-year-old girl, allegedly made contact with Franchett on Thursday, Berlin said in a release.

During an online conversation Franchett made arrangements to meet with the girl to have sex and this morning he was taken into custody after he arrived at the predetermined location, Berlin said.

“The allegations against Mr. Franchett are very disturbing,” Berlin said in the release. “Millions of young people use the Internet every day as a source of information, education and amusement."